Students' Pixie Art

Student art is the prime decorative medium for any classroom - the computer lab is no exception.  This year, students of all ages who opted to give artwork to the teacher were able to add it to the window display next to the computer lab door, at the front of the classroom.  Here is our beautiful end-of-the-year filled-window masterpiece!  Stop by for an better look at this lovely artwork.

Almost summer...

Wow!  We've already reached the end of the school year!  It sure has been a busy one.

Man, if these walls could talk, what stories they would tell.  This year in the computer lab we:

• made movies
• learned about being safe online
• created our own songs
• learned how to use our computers with Windows 8
• learned how to use our new iPads
• created our own stop-motion animated shorts on the computer and iPad
• built and played through our own mini-golf courses
• built slides, swings, merry-go rounds, and roller coasters for "Little Suzy"
• brushed Mr. Giraffe's teeth and fixed his cavities
• created our own Pixie animal filled zoo
• learned about how the Internet works
• studied black holes
• created our own illustrations, graphics, and logos on the computer
• studied how sound is added to films 
• made posters all about being safe online
• made and sent Valentines to residents of a local nursing home
• learned about how Websites are made
• read books on the computer and using Tag readers
• created and illustrated our own books and stories 
• took photographs both serious and silly
• built houses, sundials, and even diamond machines in Minecraft
• learned how to type
• searched the Internet for informational texts, videos, and sound files
• played educational games 

...and more!  

It's been a busy, productive, and fun year in the computer lab.  As I am every June, I am excited for summer and so very proud of every single student's hard work, but a little sorry to see the year is over. Everyone have a safe, happy summer!  See you next fall! 

Technology Notes: Lower Elementary

This week students from the Lower Elementary class did a Wow Wow Wubzy! activity on the iPad.  After that, they did a creative story activity as a group with me.

 Here are the pictures they colored!

Middle Elementary Tech Notes

This week, middle elementary students (Team H2O) are trying something new in the computer lab!  Each student was able to have some "sandbox time" with Lego Digital Designer, after a very basic one-on-one introduction from the instructor.  Starting next week, we will be using Lego Digital Designer (free download available for PC and Mac) to review many important skills and tap into our creativity.  Students will eventually make their own digital Lego creation. Additionally, students enjoyed playing "Stack the States" on the iPads or exploring the fun world of reading using our Tag reader library and pens.

Middle School Film Festival a Success!

Thank you to everyone who was involved in our Middle School Film Festival.  It was a hit!  The students' videos were awesome, the students were excellent, supportive audience members...I am very proud of all of
them!  What a wonderful capstone to our movie-making unit in Technology.

Later on this weekend, I will be posting links to the videos on the middle school Facebook page.  The videos are uploaded through my YouTube account, but are unlisted.  That way, they are available to viewers who click the link, but not searchable. Watch for these awesome short films!

Thanks again!

Talent n' Tacos Commercials!

Check out these awesome student-made commercials for the Talent n' Tacos talent show (coming up on April 8)!

This one was made to entice watchers to buy tickets and come to our talent show!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dve94imIeA


This one was made to encourage students to audition for a spot as our talent!  Auditions are over - we have several different acts including 41 of our awesome students!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lgWDwVGFIE

Finally, here's an awesome Scratch animation commercial made by LH!  Great job!
http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/techteacherkq/3200328

Check out these awesome ads!  And don't forget to send in your ticket orders by March 28!

Check out the Community School Computer Lab Zoo!

This week middle elementary and upper elementary students read "If I Ran the Zoo" on the iPad and drew their own zoo animal (real, imagined, or somewhere inbetween) for display as our computer lab artwork for Spring! Check it out!